Direction/distance sensing vehicle function control system

Abstract

A system for automatically and simultaneously controlling one or more vehicle functions by detecting the direction of movement of and the distance traveled by the vehicle. The control system includes an electronic sensor mounted on a selected one of the vehicle axles adjacent to and facing an anti-lock braking system tone ring of a selected one of the wheel hubs mounted on the axle. The sensor is electrically connected to an electronic control unit, which in turn is electrically connected to a vehicle function actuation device such as a lift axle solenoid or back-up alarm actuation device. The sensor transmits direction and distance information to the electronic control unit based on the movements of a plurality of teeth formed on the tone ring. The control system is a stand-alone system that is free of interfacing with other vehicle systems, such as the anti-lock braking system.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A vehicle having a plurality of rotating wheels, said vehicle including: 
       a) a Hall effect sensor, said sensor being mounted on an axle of said vehicle adjacent to a wheel hub of a selected one of said plurality of wheels rotatably mounted on said axle, said wheel hub including an anti-lock braking system tone ring formed with a plurality of teeth, the sensor detecting the direction of movement of said teeth and the number of the teeth moving in said direction, for in turn sensing a direction of movement of and a distance of travel of said selected one of the plurality of wheels;  
       b) means for processing said sensed direction and distance information, said processing means being electrically connected to said sensor; and  
       c) means for actuating at least one vehicle function, said actuation means being electrically connected to said processing means and being controlled by the processing means for automatically causing said function to occur.  
     
     
       2. The vehicle of  claim 1 , in which said processing means is an electronic control unit which includes a microcontroller. 
     
     
       3. The vehicle of  claim 2 , in which said electronic control unit is electrically connected to at least one actuating means. 
     
     
       4. The vehicle of  claim 2 , in which said electronic control unit is electrically connected to and simultaneously controls a plurality of actuating means. 
     
     
       5. The vehicle of  claim 1 , in which said actuating means is operatively connected to and actuates a vehicle structure capable of performing a certain vehicle function. 
     
     
       6. A method for automatically activating at least one vehicle function, said vehicle having a plurality of rotating wheels, said method including the steps of: 
       a) detecting a direction of movement of and a distance of travel of a selected one of said plurality of wheels by sensing means, said sensing means detecting said direction and distance information from the movement of a plurality of teeth formed on an anti-lock braking system tone ring of a wheel hub of said selected wheel;  
       b) electronically transmitting said detected direction and distance information from said sensing means to a microcontroller; and  
       c) electronically transmitting a signal from said microcontroller to actuating means for activating said vehicle function.  
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , in which a plurality of vehicle functions are simultaneously activated.